Draughts revival prompts invite from Italy
Members of Bennekerry/Tinryland Draughts Club with some of their trophies
MEMBERS of a local draughts club have been set a challenge by their Italian counterparts.
The Bennekerry/Tinryland draughts club has been in existence for nearly 40 years, and many Carlovians will remember the golden days of draughts during the late 1980s and early ’90s, when the club produced a Ladies World Champion in Patricia Breen. After a quieter period during the noughties, the climb back for this Carlow club to the top of the national draughts leagues has been one of sheer determination.
Drawing on the best of talent from Bennekerry and Tinryland primary schools, as well as from the local area, the club has grown in numbers and strength, boasting practice sessions on a regular basis with up to 60 children.
Success has followed in no less measure, with the club tucking away winners at the Kildare and Irish opens, as well as earning six national titles at the Community Games since 2016.
Schools' successes have also added silverware, with Presentation College winning the Irish Secondary Schools title in 2023 and 2024 and Bennekerry NS winning the Primary Schools Cup for the first time this year.
These multiple triumphs have not gone unnoticed, and in May an Italian juvenile winning club based at the foot of the Alps in Aosta near Turin extended an invitation to the Co Carlow club to participate in an exclusive Italy v Ireland draughts tournament next summer.
The Carlovians will bring three juvenile teams (U12, U14 and U16) to Italy and will play an intense tournament over two days against their hosts. This will be followed by a visit of the Italians to Carlow for the second leg of the challenge.
The club jumped at this prestigious opportunity to showcase their prowess on the draughts board.
"Parents in the local club are always unbelievably generous with their support," said coach Mairéad Breen.
"They never falter in lending their time and backing to every training session and event around the country, be it near or far, and this occasion will be no different.”
There will be a significant cost to this international event, with the club hoping for sponsorship. In particular, it hopes that a local business will cover the cost of the Ireland teamwear.
“Hosting an Italian draughts club in our county is a great honour and will also foster an international interest in our town. The benefits are far-reaching. We are hoping this is just the start of international exchanges for the draughts players," added Mairéad.
Anyone wishing to give some support to this remarkable endeavour can contact Mairéad at BennekerryTinrylandDraughtsclub@gmail.com.
